• Camp facts: The Broncos practiced for more than 2½ hours Thursday morning at team headquarters. They are scheduled to practice Friday from 10:25 a.m. to 1:05 p.m. That workout is open to the public. Admission and parking are free.

• Highlight of the day: The Broncos sported plenty of good feelings during their first practice of training camp. From the time quarterback Peyton Manning jogged onto the field, the Broncos were serenaded by cheering fans for much of the morning workout. With the exception of center J.D. Walton and guard Chris Kuper — they’re on the physically unable to perform list — the Broncos were a happy, healthy bunch on the opening day of training camp.

Rookie defensive tackle Sylvester Williams signed his contract Thursday morning and was on the field for the afternoon practice. Offensive tackle Ryan Clady, coming back from offseason shoulder surgery, and rookie defensive end Quanterus Smith, who suffered a knee injury during his senior season at Western Kentucky, participated in the morning practice, though Clady was limited. Smith took regular turns in the defensive line rotation.

• Lowlight of the day: Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio has speed at his disposal. Denver’s quarterbacks, especially those behind Peyton Manning on the depth chart, will have to maintain their confidence as they go through camp practicing against Del Rio’s fast crew.

Manning called some offensive bobbles Thursday typical of a first day. Second-team quarterback Brock Osweiler showed poise, a quality arm and an improved comfort level in the offense. But for rookies Zac Dysert and Ryan Katz, it will be a top-tier challenge to keep their confidence level high as they move through the July and August workouts.

Position battle

There isn’t any position on the roster where the race will be any tighter than at running back.Ronnie Hillman, who opened Thursday’s practice with the first-team offense, said he wants to be the guy in the backfield when the offense takes the field for the first time in the season opener Sept. 4 against the Ravens. Montee Ball said he’s going to “do all I can” to be the starter. When Knowshon Moreno was last in the lineup he was the starter.

Ball has shown some proficiency as a receiver and in pass protection while Hillman is the fastest, the breakaway threat of the three. Moreno is the most experienced in those tense third-down situations where a bad decision as a pass blocker can torpedo a season.

The difference will be reliability, who consistently makes the most of the runs, who makes the right calls in pass protection and who plays the most mistake free as Manning audibles at the line of scrimmage or the Broncos are in their no-huddle look.

Quarterback watch

Peyton Manning: He called it a typical first day as the offense struggled at times to move the ball in team drills against the defense. He seems far more comfortable in the team’s offense.

Brock Osweiler: The offseason has helped his game. He showed poise and a vastly improved comfort level in the offense. Made several big plays to rookie wide receiver Tavarres King in team drills.

Zac Dysert: It’s a far faster game than he’s been accustomed to, even a little quicker than things went in organized team activities and minicamp. It will be a confidence game for him in camp to settle down and make the most of his opportunities.

Ryan Katz: Took a small selection of snaps in Thursday’s practice and won’t get a lot of work overall. He’s got to make the most of his practice reps.

Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson had butterflies before Sunday's game against the Detroit Red Wings. It wasn't because of the big-name opponent, but rather his return from a 13-game injury absence and being stoked to rejoin a team in a playoff push and looking for its third postseason appearance in 10 years.